The younger sister who had depended on him for life and death now had someone in her heart.
How could I have such a dream?
Sunday wished with all his heart that this discovery of his truly was just a dream—that he had misunderstood his sister, rather than this being reality.
She was simply too concerned about her friend.
Robin appeared approachable, as if she could chat with anyone for a few sentences, but in truth she did not have many close friends.
Now that she had finally gained a friend she could talk to about anything, being overly attentive was not really a problem.
Right?
Sunday desperately wanted to convince himself of that.
If reality could shift according to his understanding, then he would certainly believe it without hesitation.
It was not that he could not accept his sister having someone she loved.
As long as Robin could obtain happiness, that would be enough. He would be happy for her and offer his most sincere blessings.
But...
Sunday could not calm himself to think about anything else. After finishing a day of work, the head of the Oak family found himself troubled by family matters instead.
After noticing Robin's abnormal reactions and deducing the truth, he had fallen into prolonged regret.
More than once, he had wondered.
If, at the very beginning—when that friend of Robin's first came to Penacony—he had taken a firmer stance and accompanied his sister to receive her friend.
Would things have turned out differently?
At that time, Robin's feelings toward Miss Kiana were still hazy. At most, it could be said that she had some fondness, but she had not yet recognized it.
If he had stayed by her side then, he should have been able to perceive what was in her heart.
Even if she herself had not realized it.
But subconscious reactions could not lie. Having grown up with Robin and knowing her so well, if he had been present, he certainly would have noticed.
Sunday, who had since crammed himself with related knowledge, was filled with regret.
Whether it was seizing the chance before his sister realized her own feelings and nipping the budding affection in the cradle, or helping her obtain what she wanted—
That had been the best opportunity.
After deducing that his sister had someone in her heart—and that person was her friend—Sunday had mobilized every connection he had around Robin to gain a general understanding of the situation between them.
At that time, Miss Kiana had not yet found the person she was looking for. If handled properly, there had indeed been room to maneuver.
Thus Sunday felt a trace of remorse. When facing his sister, he even carried a hint of guilt.
He thought.
If only he had insisted a little more back then.
Just a little more.
Then his sister would not have fallen into this state of loving someone she could not have, suppressing her feelings deep in her heart—unable to speak them, yet unwilling to forget.
"Brother."
Robin found Sunday at the appointed place and greeted him in advance, calling back her older brother who had been staring into the distance, lost in thought.
What had her brother just been thinking about?
Robin had a guess.
She did not believe she could hide it from Sunday. She had not realized from the start that she liked Kiana. Only after those events happened, after she parted from Kiana, and felt that something was wrong with her emotions—after repeatedly questioning herself—did she finally confirm her feelings.
During that period, her brother had also been watching her.
Given how much he cared about her.
Robin knew that the possibility of her brother overlooking this matter was infinitely close to zero.
So he knew about her feelings for Kiana.
And she also knew that Sunday knew.
But neither of them had spoken of it. Robin understood clearly that this was not something that could be openly said.
Knowing full well that Kiana already had a mutually loving partner, yet still being unable to stop herself from loving her.
Even refusing to distance herself.
Still wanting to continue spending time with her.
She knew she should not do this, yet she could not control herself. She wanted to see Kiana again, to know how she was doing, whether she was happy.
And what about Sunday?
After learning of her feelings, given how much he cared for her, he would certainly investigate Kiana. There was also a high chance he knew—
That Kiana already had a lover who shared her feelings.
Her brother did not approve of her behavior.
But he did not know how to bring it up, which was why he had only tried to hint at it subtly, reminding her not to do anything foolish and to forget those feelings as soon as possible.
That was what Robin thought.
"You're here?" Sunday turned to look at his grown sister and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've seen you smile so happily."
"Brother, you're exaggerating," Robin protested. "I'm not gloomy all the time. When I talk to you, I'm clearly very happy too, aren't I?"
"A smile like that—one that isn't for anything else, just pure joy from the heart," Sunday said. "A smile that symbolizes delight and happiness."
"Brother, stop teasing me. Seeing Kiana today did make me a bit happier than usual, but Kiana is a friend I haven't seen in a long time. Being with her is very relaxing."
"I..."
"Brother is very busy with work. I don't want to disturb you, and I have work too."
Interrupted, Sunday nodded.
"I asked Kiana, and she said she would also like to get to know you, Brother," Robin said with a smile.
The sister who had previously been refusing now no longer seemed worried that he might do something to the person she loved.
Sunday did not know how to describe that feeling. It was sour and complicated.
"Have you confirmed the time and place?"
"Kiana isn't very familiar with Penacony. As for deciding on a meeting place, of course we should discuss it ourselves."
"How about inviting her to the Dewlight Pavilion?"
Robin shook her head. "She's my friend, not a guest. How could we set the meeting place at somewhere meant for conferences?"
Not a guest?
What difference was there between a friend and a guest?
Sunday sighed inwardly, feeling even more unsettled. After thinking for a moment, he mentioned an alternative option.
Robin considered it and nodded in agreement.
After settling the time and place for tomorrow's meeting, Robin said goodbye to her brother and returned to leave the dream, intending to inform Kiana.
Unexpectedly, Sunday called out to her again.
"Wait, Sister."
"...Is there something else, Brother?"
Robin knew Sunday still had something he wanted to say. She was prepared. As long as he brought it up, she was certain she could persuade him not to interfere.
"It's about your friend."
"Hm?"
"Please forgive me, Sister." Sunday apologized first before continuing. "I'm sorry, but for your safety, I investigated your friend."
Robin: "..."
Sunday had wanted to pierce through that thin layer that had existed for so long yet had never been broken, to make her change her mind.
But when the words reached his lips and he looked at his sister, he chose a more tactful approach instead.
"Do you truly understand your friend?" Sunday asked. "I mean the real her."
Coming back to her senses from his previous words.
Robin knew he would investigate. She was not particularly surprised.
"Of course I understand her."
She knew he must have uncovered something and was planning to use what he had learned as groundwork.
"I trust the her that I have seen, felt, and come to know."
She trusted Kiana.
She knew people had many sides. She herself was no exception. But so what?
Just because you have a side different from the one you show others, a side you do not wish to reveal, a side you do not want to express—does that mean that is the real you?
And the everyday you is all an act? All false?
She believed in what she had witnessed with her own eyes.
"Miss Kiana is indeed a warmhearted person who enjoys helping others."
"So, Brother, what is it that you want to tell me?"
Sunday hesitated.
He looked at his sister. The words reached his lips, yet he found them difficult to speak. Was he about to slander his sister's friend?
No.
He was merely telling her what he knew. His sister had the right to know.
"I heard some information about your friend from other sources," he said. "I think you should calmly listen to me finish."
"Please go ahead, Brother. I won't interrupt you."
...
Kiana contacted Acheron and, after learning that she would be arriving at Penacony in the coming days, set down her phone with relief.
Ruan Mei had been rather mysterious lately.
She had once again left the space station for another location. The last time Kiana asked where she was, she mentioned a place that sounded unfamiliar to her.
As for Herta.
Kiana did not communicate with her much.
Whenever she sent a message, it was often met with an automatic reply. In the middle of a conversation, Herta would suddenly disappear.
After several fragmented exchanges, Kiana simply gave up on chatting with her online.
However, she had heard some news about Stelle from Herta. She had been called over to test the Simulated Universe, and along the way they even ran tests on the Honkai world as well.
According to Herta, that blockhead Stelle had an unusual obsession with trash cans. She had practically maxed out her scavenging skill.
If her medical report had not come back perfectly healthy, Herta might have suspected that those Stellaron Hunters had installed some strange module into her.
Lying back on the bed in peace.
Her first day in Penacony.
Robin had taken her to many places, even to the university within the dream, where she attended a class.
A long-lost sense of relaxation.
Such a life was truly intoxicating...
Just as she was about to close her eyes, Kiana suddenly thought of something and sat upright.
After a moment of hesitation, she used her spiritual power to call out to Araya and communicated with her. Once she confirmed that no contamination would occur, she allowed Araya to appear by her side.
When Araya manifested, Kiana watched nervously from the side. Only after confirming that Araya truly would not have any impact on Penacony did she quietly let out a breath of relief.
"This place... is different from others."
Araya glanced around the room, her gaze lingering briefly on the dream-fluid in the bathtub.
A world of dreams?
How unique.
"Do you feel anything special?" Kiana asked.
"The substance called Memoria is abundant here. Mother, when I wish to do something, it requires less effort from me."
"Then can you enter the dream and go to the real Penacony?" Kiana asked curiously.
"That world within the dream?" Araya nodded. "It can be done. If Mother needs me to do anything, I am also capable of it."
"I don't need you to do anything," Kiana said. "Do you want to stroll around Penacony? I can find some time to accompany you through it."
Araya had initially wanted to say there was no need.
Although she had not existed for long, she was more accustomed to staying within that other space. It felt more like home.
If Mother did not call her, she could remain there forever, never manifesting.
But this was Mother's invitation.
And there was no one else here.
Those she disliked or liked less were not present. She did not need to worry about anyone else taking Mother away.
She could be alone with Mother.
Araya's eyes brightened slightly. "I want to go to the world within the dream with Mother."
"Since you've agreed, then when I have time, I'll call you. I'll accompany you and show you this Planet of Festivities."
If there was time, she would take Araya through the Twelve Hours within the dream, then to the Dream's Edge and Paperfold University as well.
Perhaps Araya might gain something from it.
And if not, it would at least broaden her horizons.
The next day.
At the appointed place, Kiana saw Robin waiting there to meet her.
"Sorry, am I late?"
Seeing Robin already there, Kiana quickened her pace and jogged over to greet her.
"I arrived early. You're not late," Robin replied with a smile. "You haven't been to this area before. I was worried you might get lost."
"That's good."
Kiana let out a breath of relief. She had been afraid she had remembered the wrong time and made Robin wait for nothing.
"Let's go, Kiana. My brother is waiting ahead," Robin said, taking her hand and leading her forward.
Sunday?
So she was about to meet Sunday—the man who believed the most ideal system should be seven rest days, who abandoned Harmony to embrace Order?
"What kind of person do you think your brother is?" Kiana asked curiously.
"My brother?" Robin's beautiful smile appeared once more. "The first time you meet him, you'll probably think he's someone who rarely smiles, very serious and earnest."
Rarely smiles, serious and earnest?
Kiana nodded as she listened.
Sunday did carry a certain divinity about him. Ordinary people would not treat such things as a dream, and even if they had the idea, it would be difficult to act upon it.
Yet Sunday had done exactly that.
If not for the Astral Express crew, he might very well have succeeded.
"Then what is he like in your heart?" Kiana asked.
"In my heart, my brother has actually never changed. He's still the same as when we were children." Robin stopped there, then blinked playfully at Kiana. "Don't worry, Kiana. Today, he's my brother—not the head of the Oak family. And he wants to meet you to thank you for taking care of me before."
"You siblings are very close."
Robin nodded. "Our hometown was once affected by a Stellaron. That disaster took away our family. Although we were later adopted by the Family, we are each other's only remaining family."
Each other's only remaining family?
Kiana nodded thoughtfully.